September 2017 Update

This month for my portfolio was choppy to say the least.  Impacts were the start of calculating hurricane damage, data breaches, fears of a primary tenants’ possible bond default, continuing geopolitical fears and a strengthening of the US dollar at month end (again). With a portfolio currently weighted 15.35% pure international and a little overweight towards Texas it’s not too surprising the S&P index outperformed by increasing 1.93% versus my 0.36% increase.  For the year I’m still ahead by 2.9%.  On the other hand, dividends received set a new monthly record.

Headlines impacting my portfolio (bold are owned):

• 9/7 – SQ to apply for UT banking license as an industrial loan co.
• 9/7 – BANF acquires First Wagoner Corp and First Chandler Corp
• 9/7 – EFX announced massive dB hack
• 9/11 – UNH makes formal offer to acquire BANMEDICA.SN
• 9/11 – Cdn approval for POT/AGU merger received. awaiting  US, India and China.
• 9/14 – MMP forms JV w/ VLO for marine termimal in Pasadena, TX
• 9/21 – GBL (Mario Gabelli) increases stake to 7.74% in BATRA
• 9/25 – GE sells industrial solutions unit to ABB
• 9/28 – DGX acquires Shiel Medical Laboratories from FMS
• 9/28 – IVZ buys Guggenheim Ptnrs ETF business
• 9/29 – AIG sheds SIFI designation

Portfolio Updates:

• added to FFIC prior to ex-div on market weakness (N. Korea)
• added to NWFL (stock split)
• added to AROW (stock dividend)
• added to HOMB and lost SGBK (merger)

Dividends:

• September delivered an increase of 47.56% Y/Y with the about half of the increase being attributable dividend increases and the other half purchases with an assist from a merger premium.
• September delivered an increase of 16.87% over last quarter (June).  Semi-annual payers, a purchase and dividend increases being the reasons.
• Declared dividend increases averaged 10.98% with 65.54% of the portfolio delivering at least one increase (including 2 cuts and 1 suspension)
• YTD dividends received were 92.61% of total 2016 dividends which if the current run rate is maintained would exceed last years’ total in late October.

Spinoffs:

Spirit Realty Capital (SRC) has been announced.

Mergers:

AGU/POT (Nutrien) remains pending, SGBK/HOMB completed September 26th.

Summary

With the primary goal of exceeding last year’s dividends in sight, my focus turns to developing a strategy for 2018 – which will likely hinge on the degree of success – if any – to be expected in Year 2 of this administration.  Otherwise I’ll probably continue with the current adding to the underweight holdings unless news erupts.

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August 2017 Update

The markets ended the month generally flat while whip-sawing in between on geo-political news (North Korea), domestic disturbance (Charlottesville) and natural disaster (Harvey) taking center stage.  I did deploy a minimal amount of new capital along with dividends received in some positioning moves.  The S&P ended the month up .05% while my portfolio lagged by dropping -0.34%.  The differential can be explained by two events, 1) higher exposure to Texas (e.g., hurricane), and 2) the month-end rise in the US dollar causing my foreign issues to drop a little.  For the year, I remain ahead of the index by 4.47%.

Headlines impacting my portfolio (bold are owned):

• 8/3 – IVZ in talks to buy Guggenheim Ptnrs ETF business
• 8/3 – VLO agrees to export refined fuels to Mexico through iEnova (SRE subsidiary)
• 8/3 – SRC announces spinoff of Shopko properties
• 8/4 – Ackman requests delay in ADP brd nomination deadline as “8% owner”
• 8/4 – LAMR acquires Philadelphia market billboards from Steen Outdoor
• 8/8 – ONB acquires Anchor Bank (MN)
• 8/10 – PYPL acquires Swift Capital (Del.)
• 8/10 – INVH and SFR agree to merge (BX stake to be abt 41%)
• 8/15 – KEY acquires Cain Brothers (pvt)
• 8/16 – TU acquires Voxpro (pvt)
• 8/16 – PLD buys out CCP (CYRLY) JV
• 8/20 – GS approved for Saudi Arabian stock trading license
• 8/22 – PAYX acquires HR Outsourcing Inc. (a Clarion Capital portfolio company)
• 8/22 – CLX sells Aplicare line to Medline (pvt)
• 8/22 – BX considering an IPO/sale of Gates Global
• 8/30 – KSU forms JV with Bulkmatic for bulk fuel terminal in Mexico
• 8/31 – BNS confirms discussions to acquire Chile operations from BBVA Spain

Portfolio Updates:

• Added to VLO
• Added to LARK
• Added to AROW

LARK and AROW were positioning moves ahead of anticipated stock dividends (3% announced by AROW post purchase)

Dividends:

• August delivered an increase of 22.24% Y/Y with the about half of the increase being attributable dividend increases and the other half purchases.
• August delivered a decrease of 12.99% over last quarter (May).  Semi-annual payers, a date change due to a merger, and normal BX dividend being the culprits.  Also a Singapore dividend paid in August (locally) has yet to be paid via Citi’s ADR (now likely Sept.), so I expect September to be firing on all cylinders.
• Declared dividend increases averaged 10.92% with 62.71% of the portfolio delivering at least one increase (including 2 cuts and 1 suspension)
• YTD dividends received were 75.91% of total 2016 dividends which if the current run rate is maintained would exceed last years’ total in early November

Spinoffs:

Brighthouse Financial (BHF) (MET spin) has been received.

Mergers:

AGU/POT (Nutrien) remains pending, SGBK/HOMB received regulatory approval and is expected to close late September.

Summary

Overall another positive month with the only disappointment being the Q/Q dividend decline – which was unexpected.  The primary metric (annual dividend increase) remains on target and well ahead of inflation.

May 2017 Update

May was generally quiet with the market trending generally higher.  With few pullback opportunities, I barely deployed new dividends so my cash position increased again.  At least the turmoil I experienced moving from Loyal3 subsided and I could resume a more moderate pace.  An upcoming election in the UK may present a buying opportunity on weakness in the GBP versus the US dollar.  The S&P ended the month up 1.16% while my portfolio recorded a gain of 1.37%.  For the year (so far), I’m ahead of the index by 4.07%

Headlines impacting my portfolio (bold are owned):

• 5/1 – DRE sells medical office portfolio to HTA
• 5/1 – TIS suspends dividend
• 5/4 – FHN to acquire CBF
• 5/30 – JNS/HGG.L merger completed (becoming JHG)
• 5/31 – KEY acquires HelloWallet from MORN

Portfolio Updates:

• Initiated position in SGAPY
• Added to IVZ
• Added to PWCDF (proceeds from sale of TIS)
• Added to DST
• Added to PLD

Dividends:

• May delivered an increase of 51.44% over May 2016 with the vast majority of this attributable to foreign dividend cycles not held last year.
• May delivered an increase of 38.94% over last quarter (Feb) for the same reason.
• Declared dividend increases averaged 8.89% with 48.02% of my portfolio delivering at least one increase (2 cuts – XRX and YUM; 1 suspension – TIS)
• YTD dividends received were 47.11% of total 2016 dividends which if the current run rate is maintained would exceed last year’s total in early November.

Note: with 14.6% of current dividends paid by foreign sources, the weakening US dollar is providing a tailwind with exchange rates i.e., increasing my return.

Spinoffs:

The MET spin (Brighthouse Financial – BHF) remains in regulatory review.

Mergers:

Agrium/POT, SGBK/HOMB remain pending

Pure Randomness

Every now and again events are thrown our direction which necessitate a change.  Being one who abhors change, I tend to procrastinate until the absolute last minute.  I knew the drive in my laptop was on its’ last legs a year ago when I bought a new one.  Last week it bit the dust.  I did perform regular backups so data loss was minimal.  What loss exists is not due to Wanna Cry but their evil twin, Micosoft (MSFT).  Though I have an Office license, my use (legally) of an upgraded version resulted in the inability to perform a backward migration.  It appears my best recourse is to purchase an upgrade.  My frugal nature has an issue with this solution (being held hostage?).  Meanwhile, seeing if Google fills the void.  I did add a sheet to my Dividends spreadsheet (Div Dates) which – assuming I get the hang of conditional formatting – has the potential of automating my watch list.

Closing the Primerica Experiment

One year ago I embarked on a mission to determine whether Primerica stock (PRI) was a better investment then the sum of its’ parts – well at least most of the parts.  SEC filings were scoured to identify their investments as insurance companies are required to maintain reserves (the float).  A portfolio was established (3Q 2015) , funded (4Q 2015) and tracked (Oct 2015 to Sep 2016) to be able to declare a winner.

And the winner is … Primerica by 16.15%.  Now I realize that a single snapshot in time may not be reflective of reality, but to my surprise Primerica outperformed the basket through this snapshot in time.

The -opoly World

Early Retiree Reality (ERR) recently published a thought provoking article titled My Duopoly and Oligopoly Shopping List on Seeking Alpha.  The premise is essentially that duopolies and oligopolies provide wider moats which results in greater profitability.  I would encourage you to read it.  This idea is similar to one I’ve been working on with my Speculative Pillars series on Cord cutting, Transaction Processing and to a lesser degree Regional Banks.  Although neatly packaged, I failed to make the leap into the –opoly world.

Unbundled PRI Q1

Yes, I know you want me to get to the end of year results and 2016 goals already.  Those will be my next two posts.  Promise.

Meanwhile, it’s time for a review of the first quarter of my Primerica analysis.  Here’s my initial write up.  On Christmas Eve, I used my remaining free cash to purchase this group of companies.  I did make a few changes to the original selection: